Category: Online Safety

The last few weeks has seen an uptick in scammers using the urgency of the copper switch off as a tactic to get people to sign up to a ‘satellite service’ with them. This is probably a classic attempt to get users’ credit/debit card and other personal information (for identity theft or further scams) rather […]

A new memorandum of understanding was signed in November between Ofcom and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to build foundations for the IWF to help Ofcom in its duties as the online safety regulator. Ofcom is required to make sure that people in the UK are protected from illegal content online, and the spread of […]

UK broadband ISP Gigabit IQ has announced the beta launch of Parentline launching on Thursday 29 January 2026. It describes as the UK’s first AI-powered online safety assistant for families. This aligns with its strategy of focussing on online safety as it provides services beyond its original Altnet build area in the Full Fibre Ltd and F&W Networks footprints. […]

Ofcom has announced that it has opened an investigation into X (X Internet Unlimited Company) in respect of reports in the media that its AI model, Grok, which you can use on X (formerly Twitter), is being used to generate intimate abuse images, CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) and pornography, which is accessible to children. […]

Ofcom is working through the legal processes as part of its enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2023 with regard to an online discussion forum used to discuss suicide. “We are investigating whether a provider of an online suicide discussion forum has failed/is failing to comply with its duties under the Online Safety Act 2023 […]

Ofcom has decided to fine the image-sharing website IM.GE £20,000 for failing to comply with the Online Safety Act 2023. In particular, the decision relates to failing to comply with two statutory information requests, and Ofcom has decided that it has therefore breached its duty under the Act. Ofcom started an enforcement programme in March […]

Ofcom has published draft industry Guidance as part of a consultation to set out the steps they expect online providers of relevant services to take in order to help bereaved parents get the answers they need about their use of their services. The Online Safety Act puts forward requirements on tech firms about how they […]

Last week, Ofcom announced a £1m fine on AVS Group Ltd, which runs a number of porn websites, for failing to implement robust age checks on users accessing the site. The existing measures were of the vein, “Are you 18?” with a check box asking you to confirm. The company has now begun to implement […]

AVS Group Ltd has been fined £1,000,000 and a further £50,000 for failing to respond. If AVS Group Ltd websites continue to operate without robust age verification and fail to respond to Ofcom requests, the fine will increase by £1,300 a day. The fine has been levied because the 18 sites run by AVS Group […]

Ofcom is pursuing its investigation into a suicide forum it previously paused as the forum implemented IP-based blocking for UK users. On 1 July 2025, the forum implemented a block to restrict users with UK IP addresses from accessing the service. Ofcom has been actively monitoring these restrictions to check they are maintained consistently and […]